Gareth Westmorland's opinion - Early impressions are everything in first trial of year

Speaking to the Robins boss yesterday, Tim Sheens appeared relaxed ahead of the opening friendly but his players are more than keen to make an impression early doors.

That is what trials are all about – getting your foot in the door for what players hope will be either an extended stay in the team or to change opinions of coaches and fans.

The spectators making their way to KCOM Craven Park tomorrow get the chance to witness the likes of Danny McGuire and Tommy Lee in red and white for the first time and the latter, especially, having received somewhat of a mixed reception on his arrival, will be longing to put in a big display.

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Hull KR vs York City Knights

Of course, this tie against York isn’t the be-all and end-all, with it largely being an occasion for Ben Cockayne’s testimonial rather than a full-frontal clash, but players will not turn their nose up at the chance to sneak their way into Sheens’ reckoning.

A huge squad means places for Super League are at a premium so with three trials in place it hands those, especially on the fringes, an opportunity to make the coach possibly think twice.

Hull KR coach Tim Sheens

Dual-reg partners York, led by Cockayne and ex-KR second-rower Graeme Horne, will be delighted to come up against several experienced professionals and whilst the Robins remain heavy favourites for the win, the clash will be of huge benefit to both teams for many different reasons regardless of the result.

If the players thought pre-season was tough, then they’ll be shocked as the hard work begins now. But rugby league is back and I’m excited to see what 2018 has in store.

Team news and predicted line-ups

HULL KR will hand debuts to the majority of their new signings tomorrow afternoon.

Danny McGuire and Tommy Lee are in line to start, with Jordan Walne, Thibault Franck and Will Dagger also set to take to the field against York.

Connor Williams, who is coming off the back of post-season surgery, may be rested for the clash.

DOWNSIZED: Hull KR prop Mose Masoe. (Image: Peter Harbour)

Tim Sheens has promised a strong starting line-up which will include the likes of Adam Quinlan, Mose Masoe and many other big names.

However, he will be without captain Shaun Lunt, centre Andrew Heffernan, second-rower George Lawler, prop Nick Scruton and loose-forward James Donaldson, all who continue to recover from operations. Sheens will however field a number of academy products as well as French international Nabil Djalout, who is on trial at the Robins.

Ex-KR star Graeme Horne, who arrived at York with testimonial man Ben Cockayne, will start against his former team, while fellow forwards Adam Robinson and Joe Porter and veteran hooker Andy Ellis – a former Robin – also play.

PREDICTED LINE-UPS: Hull KR vs York City Knights.

Jake Butler-Fleming, who only recently arrived back from Australia following his move to York from KR, will not be involved.